Escape from Konoha.

"That's impossible. If that were the case, you couldn't have grown up so quickly. You must be hiding something."

"I really didn't hide anything."

"is it?"

Liuli continued to scrutinize Baishi with a suspicious look.

"Yes, I've just been cultivating according to my own methods."

Shiraishi said earnestly.

He really wasn't hiding anything.

He was very grateful to Liuli for teaching him so many combat techniques; if it weren't for Liuli, his strength wouldn't have increased so quickly.

"Your method?"

Liuli discovered the blind spot.

"Yes, I have a scientifically designed training program tailored to my own needs, which can effectively improve my dynamic vision and neurological reaction ability."

Shiraishi answered honestly.

"Then show me your so-called scientific plan."

Hearing Ruri's request, Shiraishi did not refuse. If it were someone else, he would have needed to consider it. However, his rapid growth in strength was inseparable from Ruri's assistance.

Sincerity is the foundation of all things, and Baishi certainly couldn't be stingy with it.

He then took a small notebook out of his ninja tool bag and placed it in Ruri's hand.

His scientific exercise plan was recorded in this notebook.

Liuli opened it and began to read it carefully, her expression growing increasingly strange as she read on.

Because it's so ordinary.

Most of the training methods written by Shiraishi are not secrets; Ruri already knows many of them, except for some rather strange training methods that Ruri is unaware of.

Can I really become stronger by training according to the above methods?

A big question mark appeared in Liuli's mind.

Shiraishi knew that Ruri had doubts, because the physical training plan he had customized for himself was not difficult in general, although some parts were a bit difficult to do, but most of it was easy to understand.

However, Shiraishi knew that this was the most scientifically sound exercise program for the human body.

But compared to these scientific training methods, Shiraishi felt that the chakra of this world was truly incredible.

Why can chakra transform into fire, lightning, or storms... these are all very interesting aspects.

Compared to the wondrous uses of chakra, Shiraishi felt that his scientific training program was simply child's play.

This scientific training method is simply to enhance Shiraishi's dynamic vision and nerve reflexes, as well as maintain his flexibility and a certain degree of resistance to impact.

Compared to the wondrous energy of chakra, it is indeed quite ordinary.

Shiraishi could understand Ruri's doubts.

"If I follow the scientific training plan in this book, will I also become stronger quickly like you?"

That's what Liuli cares about.

"Well, it's hard to say, because it's adjusted according to my physical development. Basically, a new plan is needed every month."

That's what Shiraishi said.

Liuli nodded in understanding.

What suits Shiraishi may not suit her.

So, Liuli took a serious look and said, "Make me a training plan that suits me."

She wanted to test whether Shiraishi's method was truly effective.

"It's possible... but..."

Shiraishi scratched his head awkwardly, somewhat embarrassed to speak.

"What? You don't want to?"

Liuli's clear black and white eyes immediately turned dangerous, flashing with a fierce light.

"Ah, that's not the reason. It's because if we're going to create a scientific exercise plan that suits someone else, we have to start from their physical condition... cough cough, to put it simply, we have to be realistic and pragmatic... Only by understanding the other person's physical condition can we tailor a plan specifically for them..."

Shiraishi's gaze suddenly became unnatural, his eyes sweeping over Ruri's petite body, before quickly averting his gaze as if in fear.

Really, he's not a female warrior, nor does he engage in pedophilia.

"..."

A blush suddenly appeared on Liuli's indifferent face.

She understood the hidden meaning in Bai Shi's words very well.

Liuli took a deep breath and looked at Baishi with icy eyes, as if she were looking at a dead man.

"Come and touch it."

"Huh? Okay! Hmm? No, no, what did you just say? Touch...touch what?"

Shiraishi was dumbfounded.

I thought Liuli would back down, but I didn't expect her to say that.

"Come here and touch me right now! If you dare touch any other part of me, you're dead!"

The menacing threat came from Shiraishi.

Shiraishi felt that he would be killed if he went there.

……

In the end, Shiraishi devised a scientific training plan specifically for Ruri.

Before leaving, Liuli said that if this training program was ineffective, it would definitely lead to his actual physical death!

Chapter Eight: The Bird in the Cage

After that day, Shiraishi felt that his relationship with Ruri had become very strange.

Although on the surface everything seemed the same as usual—passing notes during class and training as usual in the evenings—Liuli seemed to have reverted to the way she was when we first met: silent, cold, and rarely speaking.

A few days passed like this.

Shiraishi went to school as usual that day, but just before the first class was about to start, he noticed that Ayane, who was sitting to his left, was still missing.

Shiraishi found this very strange.

As a member of the branch family of the wealthy Hyuga clan, Ayane's status is certainly not as high as that of the main family, but she still maintains the behavioral norms expected of a wealthy family and would never do things like skipping class or being late.

Just as the first class was about to end, footsteps sounded outside the door.

She was a girl with straight black hair that reached her waist.

Ayane stood alone at the door, silent, biting her lip as if she were about to draw blood, enveloped in an atmosphere of sadness and despair.

What's even stranger is that Ayane has a white ribbon tied around her forehead. It doesn't look bad, but the sudden change just feels a bit too abrupt.

Before this, Ayane would never wear such a flashy ribbon ornament on her forehead.

The homeroom teacher, Mr. Fujimura, glanced at Ayane. He was about to reprimand her, but when he sensed the deep despair and sadness in Ayane, he sighed softly, as if he knew something, and said calmly, "Come in. Remember not to be late next time."

Ayane nodded and, amidst the strange and puzzled looks from the crowd, walked to her seat and sat down.

"Good morning, Shiroishi-kun."

Ayane tried her best to greet Shiraishi as usual, but her smile was forced and tears seemed to be flowing uncontrollably from her eyes.

Without waiting for Shiraishi's response, she buried her head on the table, as if being seen like this was a disgrace, something that would invite ridicule and contempt.

And all of this did happen. The other students looked at her with strange eyes, whispering and pointing, as if they knew something.

But the students, unaware of the truth, were simply curious and worried about Ayane.

Shiraishi looked puzzled but wisely refrained from asking.

Ruri glanced at Ayane, then looked past Shiraishi, but didn't say anything.

—Ruri, do you know what happened to Ayane?

Because our relationship has progressed further, the suffix "classmate" has been removed.

He handed the note with the question written on it to Ruri.

As members of the same wealthy family, Liuli must know something.

—What else could it be but the 'fine' tradition of the Hyuga clan?

The quotation marks around the word "excellent" clearly indicate that Liuli's words were full of sarcasm.

The 'fine' traditions of the Hyuga clan?

Shiraishi didn't know what this was, but Ayane's transformation must be related to the 'fine' tradition of the Hyuga clan.

What is it?

Unable to come up with anything, Shiraishi gave up.

At noon, Shiraishi and Ruri were eating bento boxes together.

"Hey, Ruri, what's this Hyuga clan tradition you mentioned?"

Unable to contain his curiosity, Shiraishi asked the question.

Ruri paused for a moment before replying, "This matter is not a secret among the ninja clans, and most of the Chunin and Jonin in the village have heard about it. The Hyuga clan has a tradition that is difficult for many to accept since ancient times. That is the distinction between the main family and the branch family."

Is there a problem with distinguishing between the main family and branch families?

"Those who separate from the main family must assume the responsibility and obligation to protect the main family."

"That's perfectly normal."

Shiraishi couldn't understand.

The lower-status group protects the higher-status group. Although this is not very fair, it is a stable 'social' structure.